About Kashmir
The Mughal Emperor Jahangir said that Kashmir is a paradise on earth. This statement coined by him still stands true even in today’s time. The beauty that this place oozes is justified the fact that Kashmir is the jewel to the crown of India. Being the northernmost state of the country, this heavenly abode shares its border with China, Tibet and Pakistan while pleases travellers from all over the world with its scenic beauty.
Despite the political unrest in the state that has been going on for decades, nothing has deterred the travellers from visiting Kashmir. Whenever we speak of Kashmir, places like Ladakh, Dal Lake, Vaishno Devi and Gulmarg pops in our mind. Don’t you think these places are too clichéd for a visit and always seem to be overcrowded?
Well, that is because not many people have been able to fully explore this state, thus, keeping most parts of it untouched. If you are a traveller at heart or simply don’t want to be a part of the bandwagon that only explores the common places, this article will show you a complete list of the 10 non-commercial & less explored places to visit in Kashmir. Consider these places to be the best-kept secret of Kashmir and now it’s time to visit them all.
Let’s see how many you can tick off from this following list of places to visit in Kashmir
#1 Kokernag
Located at a height of about 7,000 feet above the sea level, Kokernag translates to ‘Hen shaped springs’. If you want to visit a green land in Kashmir, this is it, where a collection of freshwater springs form the largest freshwater spring in Kashmir. Located at about 80 km from Srinagar and 25 km from Anantnag, this place serves for trout fishing, which the tourist department sells to the tourists. The best time to visit this region is during the spring season where you can enjoy the beautiful scenic landscape.
#2 Pulwama
Because of the high quantities of milk being produced here, Pulwama is also known as ‘Dudha-Kul of Kashmir’. About 25 km from Srinagar, this region lies 1630m above the sea level. Agriculture of saffron, fodder, paddy and oilseeds are carried out here. The best sights to look out for in this area is the saffron culture, which seems like a lush orange cover in the region and the Rembiara Nallah crossing over Pulwama. If you are looking for more, the almond orchards are worth visiting while the photographer in you can visit the cherry and mustard plantations. Adding beauty to this place is the Heemal Nagrai spring while the nearby temple ruins can be explored.
#3 Yusmarg
How about a place, which offers you the best adventures like skiing, trekking, fishing, horse riding and even picnicking all in one? If these are the kinds of activities that you would love to do on a vacation then visit Yusmarg. Yusmarg is a hill station, located at about 47 km from Srinagar and also believed to be a place once visited by Jesus Christ himself. The Tatakooti Peak and the Sunset Peak with pine meadows in the backdrop offers a perfect spot for photography. The Dudhganga River, which passes through Yusmarg enhances the charm of this place, making it an ideal picnic spot. If adventure is your forte then go on a trek of 4 km to Nilnag and then a further 11km trek will take you to a frozen lake. Being a blissful nature’s paradise in itself, it is advisable not to visit this location during the winter months when the roads are blocked due to snowfall.
#4 Sinthan Top
Running away from bustling city life is everyone’s dream nowadays. And if you get a chance then book a trip to Kashmir where you can visit a wonderful place called Sinthan Top. Located 12,500 ft above the sea level, this place is isolated and has no human habitation, making it untouched like a virgin nature land. About 130 kms from Srinagar, situated in the Breng Valley, Sinthan Top displays a wide array of beauty that has enabled it to become a perfect tourist destination. The chilling winds hoot in your ears, the whistles of which, are so perfect due to the deafening silence around. Because of its high altitude location, this place remains snow-clad all through the year. Isn’t this the best place to reach to beat the summer blues?
#5 Daksum
Finding an oasis in a desert is like finding God in the middle of nowhere. Just like that, Daksum is an oasis in Kashmir. Kashmir is surrounded by snow from all sides makes it set on a white landscape, which is why the Daksum region is a place to visit to give a treat to your eyes. About 85 kms from Srinagar, Daksum is located at an elevated height and is known for its mesmerizing picturesque such as the hills, scenic valleys and the plains. The calm streams, lush coniferous forests and the Bringhi River makes this land a perfect Greenland of Kashmir. Secluded from the other iconic tourist spots, you can enjoy the tranquillity of nature while also try your hand at trout fishing and other popular adventure activities that are gaining momentum here.
#6 Doodhpathri
How about visiting a land where the gushing rivers give an appearance of milk flowing in abundance? Sounds interesting right? Doodhpathri is located at 2,730m above sea level and is environed with several peaks, green meadows and thickets. The milky white appearance in the rivers is a phenomenon which, occurs due to the various rivulets flowing at a great speed and thus the name of this region. It is yet an isolated place because not much people know about it. You can visit this place before it gets populated like the other commercial places in Kashmir.
#7 Lolab Valley
Despite being connected with Srinagar and other commercial places to visit, Lolab Valley yet remains a less frequented destination by the tourist. If you want to see the colours of nature thriving in Kashmir, this is the place to be. The oval-shaped valley stretches for about 24 kms where you can see cherry, apple, peach, walnut and apricot orchards that are a sight to behold. To add on to the already existing beauty of this place is the lush green forest areas with several springs and the loudly gushing Lahwal River flowing nearby. The pictorial beauty of these places will make you want to set up a camp right there and you can also visit the famous Kalaroos Caves, which are an attraction here. If you want to be left for a while in a secluded place then Lolab Valley is the best place to visit.
#8 Gurez Valley
If you have had enough sight of the flora and wish to see some fauna then Gurez Valley is where you need to head to next. Being a least crowded spot, this place is frequented by exotic animals such as the snow leopard and the Himalayan brown bear. This valley is captivated by high peaks from all the sides, which are covered in snow caps all year round. This place also happens to be situated between the Indo-Pakistan borders and has Kishanganga River flowing by making its pristine beauty even more alluring.
#9 Achabal Valley
The reason Achabal Valley remains to be a nature’s paradise is that it is yet far away from commercialization. Apart from the natural beauty, this place is dipped in history as it was once a retreat for the royal family during the rule of Jahangir. The Achabal Gardens are a must-visit if you want to see the spectacular play of colours. It is also said that the emperor’s wife Noor Jahan had much of her contribution during the development of the garden. If you are a peace lover and want to have a sneak peek into the royal history, this is a perfect place for a quick visit. Though you can visit here anytime during the year, autumn is said to be the best time of the year.
#10 Dachigam National Park
The backdrop of Srinagar is the Zabarwan Range, which now serves as a national park, being home to some of the rare and endangered species of fauna. This protected area was ideally built to provide drinking water to Srinagar but was later declared as a national park that sprawls over 14,000 ft. The wildlife population in this national park thrives on the basis of the flowing Marsar Lake and Dagwan River, which also contribute to the beauty of this park. Being the least visited national park in Kashmir, you can stroll around the park and get glimpses of animals such as Leopard, Musk Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Hill Fox, Otter and several others. While birds such as Cinnamon Sparrow, Black Bulbul, Minivet, Pygmy Owlet, Babbler and other exotic avifauna species can also be spotted.
A trip to some of the routine places in Jammu and Kashmir isn’t enough to please your wanderlust soul, which is why these above-mentioned places are enough to satiate you. Pack your bags and head out to these hidden gems that await your arrival.
